Aston Villa Women thrashed an incredibly sloppy Arsenal Women to secure a famous 5-2 victory, leaving Chelsea Women on the brink of the WSL title.
The Gunners could not conjure the same performance or comeback that saw them beat Lyon in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals on Sunday, and were instead outplayed and outfought at every turn by a depleted Villa.
The hosts took advantage of errors across the pitch from their opponents, combined with some wonderful team play, that saw them deservedly put five goals past the European finalists. Aston Villa have now won their last three WSL games as they look to end a disappointing season strongly.
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Jordan Nobbs finished off a devastating counter attack from Aston Villa
It was a former Gunner, too, who dealt the first blow on the half-hour. It was a brilliant break from Ebony Salmon after Arsenal had seen a chance stopped at the other end. The Villa forward then squared the ball for Jordan Nobbs, who slotted past Manuela Zinsberger.
Arguably the pick of the goals, though, came at the end of the first half courtesy of an impressive Kirsty Hanson. She fired a curling effort into the top corner from 25 yards, sending Aston Villa in at the break with a shock – but deserved – 2-0 lead.
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Kirsty Hanson punished Arsenal with a tremendous hit from outside of the area after the away side carelessly gave the ball away
Within 14 minutes of the restart, Villa had four goals on the board. Chasity Grant netted her first of the evening immediately after half-time, taking advantage of a defensive mix-up between Katie McCabe and her goalkeeper. She pounced on the error before easily slotting home.
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Manuela Zinsberger and Katie McCabe had a mix-up as Aston Villa’s Chasity Grant pounces on a loose ball
And just before the hour, Daly toe-poked home Aston Villa’s fourth after a great team move that started with goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo – another former Gunner.
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Rachel Daly put Aston Villa 4-0 up against Arsenal at Villa Park
But Arsenal had some skin in the game, and you thought a comeback was on as Stina Blackstenius, coolly slotting home, and Alessia Russo, scoring a header from WSL debutant Katie Reid’s cross, netted within three minutes of one another to half the deficit.
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Stina Blackstenius provided a lifeline for Arsenal
However, any hopes of a grandstand finish were dashed as Aston Villa made it 5-2 minutes after Russo’s goal. It was a second for Grant, who played a neat one-two before bursting through on goal, before lifting the ball over Zinsberger.
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Alessia Russo pulled another goal back for the Gunners
The result leaves Arsenal six points behind Chelsea and two ahead of Man Utd in second, with both teams facing each other in the WSL later on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports. The Blues need just a point from that fixture to secure their sixth successive title.
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Chasity Grant scored her second goal of the day to secure Aston Villa’s stunning win over Arsenal
But a win for Man Utd could see the Gunners end the day in third place and facing a battle with Marc Skinner’s side to finish in second place. The two play each other on the final day of the WSL season on May 11.
